Doctoral student in Medical Radiation Physics

The Department of Medical Radiation Physics is engaged in research and education in ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and its use mainly in medical applications. The major areas are radiotherapy physics, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray physics, and nuclear medicine physics.

We have now an opening for a doctoral student in Medical Radiation Physics with a focus on radiotherapy physics. The doctoral education of this subject area is described in the following general syllabus:

https://www.science.lu.se/sites/science.lu.se/files/2024-05/Medical Radiation Physics general syllabus 2020.pdf

Description

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in cancer therapy today. Thanks to the fact that we nowadays can give a very high dose of radiation to a small, well-defined volume, radiotherapy has also proven to be an alternative treatment of other severe diseases such as ventricular tachycardia. Recently published material emphasized that further research into how to avoid irradiating healthy tissue in the heart during a so-called stereotactic radioablation is needed. Specific challenges are the interacting movements from the patient's heartbeat and breathing.

This project focuses on methods to optimize motion management for these patients. At our disposal, we have modern equipment such as an MR-linac, a CT-linac (Tomotherapy) and other equipment optimized for on-line imaging and stereotaxic treatments. The project is not limited to existing equipment but aims also to develop the future optimal radiation treatment of ventricular tachycardia, including, among other things, machine learning (ML) and faster imaging- and radiation deliveries individually adapted to the cardio motion. The project is interdisciplinary, and supervision will take place in a multidisciplinary group.

Assignments

The main task is to purse doctoral studies, including participation in research projects as well as doctoral courses.

The research task will mainly be focused on developing and simulating different motion management methods using, among other things, MRI data. The project also includes machine learning and experiments on an MR-linac and other high-tech clinical equipment.

The successful applicant will work in close collaboration with other researchers and research groups. The position may also include teaching on the Medical Physics Program and other departmental duties (at maximum 20%).

The focus of the project is on the sub-field of Radiotherapy physics in the Department of Medical Radiation Physics.

Eligibility

Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who have either completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad. Additionally, to be accepted for third-cycle studies in Medical Radiation Physics the applicant must have a MSc degree in Medical Physics (or an equivalent foreign degree) or completed an alternative university education to achieve basic eligibility equivalent to 240 credits, of which courses of at least 60 credits are directly relevant for the doctoral studies announced here, and has completed a research project thesis (MSc thesis, or equivalent) corresponding to at least 30 credits.

Evaluation criteria

Requirements:

• Good knowledge of programming, MR-physics and radiotherapy physics
• Ability to communicate well in spoken and written English, at a level that meets the requirement of writing scientific articles.

Meritorious:

• Completed degree project (M.Sc. thesis) in medical physics with relevance for MRI and/or radiotherapy
• Medical physicist certification, as the project will take place in a clinical environment, partly using clinical equipment
• Documented experience of programming
• Documented experience of clinical work as Medical Physicist, preferably within different areas
• Experience of teaching

Admission to third cycle (doctoral) studies is based primarily on the evaluated ability of the student to pursue and benefit from such studies.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statutes 1998:80. Only those who are or have been admitted to doctoral studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from doctoral studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment

Preferred starting date 1 of March 2025 or according to agreement

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§. If departmental duties (at maximum 20%) are included, the employment will be prolonged accordingly